Longtime WEEI Program Dir Jason Wolfe Fired Amidst Ratings Slump

Entercom Boston VP/Programming & Operations and WEEI-FM Program Dir JASON WOLFE "has been fired ... after a prolonged stretch of subpar ratings," according to Chad Finn of the BOSTON GLOBE. Wolfe, who "had been at the station for nearly 22 years," tweeted the news and "attached a letter that focused on highlights of his career." Wolfe wrote, "I'm so blessed to have played a role in the station's success, and that success can never be taken away, nor should it ever be forgotten. But this is a business, and in business companies are always looking ahead in order to decide what's best for their future. In this case, Entercom has decided to replace me because they feel it's time for a change with my position." Entercom VP, GM & Market Manager JEFF BROWN said that Wolfe's replacement "would be announced in the next couple of days." He added that other changes at the station "are not imminent." Finn notes WEEI during Wolfe's tenure "had enormous success in the late '90s and through the 2000s, fending off upstart challengers" such as WWZN-AM and ESPN Radio 890 Boston. But the launch of WBZ-FM in August '09 -- a station "with CBS Radio's support, broadcast rights deals with the Patriots and Bruins, and a strong FM signal -- provided the first real challenge to WEEI's sports radio supremacy." Ratings in the Boston area "now tilt heavily" in WBZ' favor (BOSTON.com, 8/15).